The Application Process

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

As a responsible breeder, I take the placement of puppies very seriously. I want to make sure every effort is made to make sure the puppy is getting into an appropriate home who is willing to make a lifetime commitment. I also want to know the home is on the same page as I am in regard to care and training philosophies and will provide the puppy with the life I want him to live; that of a much-loved canine companion. I feel my application process, along with my screening and home visits, places puppies into homes where they will remain for their entire life. Because I am careful to determine if a Dane and a home are a good fit, I have very few breeder returns. (And it goes without saying, if you purchase a dog from me and cannot keep it at any point in his or her life, they are to be returned to me and never taken to a shelter or rescue.)

I work off an application process, so to be on my list to get a puppy, one
must fill out an application. An application can be obtained by emailing me; I
do not put my applications on my website. If a person does not want to complete an application immediately, but wants to be advised of litter status, they may sign up to my Yahoo "Available Danes" email list. This list is also used to inform people of non-rescue adults that may become available from other breeders.

Once the application is received, it is reviewed and applicants will be notified of the status. If approved, it is done on a tentative basis,
pending meeting the applicants in person and doing a home visit. If the home is
out of the area, I frequently have a friend do the visit for me. Home visits are generally not done until the pregnancy is confirmed and a deposit has been received.

When pregnancy has been confirmed via ultrasound at between 21 to 28 days
after the breeding I begin contacting approved applicants. While ultrasounds are not an exact science in determining
numbers, it will give me a rough idea of litter size. At that point a $500.00
deposit is required to hold a puppy. In the event there is not an available
puppy for some reason, deposits are refunded 100%. People wishing to place a
deposit to hold a puppy are sent my complete deposit policies prior to receipt
of the deposit. If references are needing regarding my handling of deposits, please let me know and I will provide them.

Once the litter is born, I have a very rough idea of what will be available based
on sex and color. Grading between show and pet does not happen until between 6
to 7 weeks of age; so people may need to wait until that point to find out if a
puppy is available to them. Again, if no puppy is available, the deposit is
refunded or may be transferred to an upcoming litter.

Where a person stands in line depends on what they want as far as color, sex
and grading (between show and companion), and when their deposit was sent. Home checks are done sometime
between receipt of the deposit and prior to pick up date.

Uncropped puppies can go into their new homes at seven weeks of age and
cropped puppies, after the cropping at approximately eight weeks of age. Except in very rare occasions, I require
people to come to my house to get their puppy. When the puppy is picked up, a
"puppy orientation" is done to make sure the new owner is clear on proper
feeding, vet care and beginning puppy training.